Experts are set to discuss the challenges and opportunities toward research and development of biofuel for the aerospace ecosystem at a summit in Abu Dhabi this week.

 

The Global Aerospace Summit, in its second edition this year, will take place on April 7 and 8 at the St. Regis Hotel, Saadiyat Island, with a focus on the importance of R&D in the aviation, aerospace, defense and space sectors. 

 

It will bring together vice presidents, directors and heads of sustainability, alternative fuels, renewable energy, research and development and innovation from various industries, who will discuss R&D and commercialisation of alternative jet fuel.

 

The key themes include the viability of biofuels, technical challenges of developing and commercialising biofuels for aviation.

 

The short and long term challenges for airlines to adopting alternative fuels and the inherent risks in developing, selling and using these fuels will also be addressed.  

 

Dr Abdelqader Abusafieh, head of R&D of aerospace and engineering services at Mubadala, said: “Though there has been strong progress in the field of alternative jet fuels, and particularly biofuels, further work is needed for biofuels to be fully integrated into the aviation fuel supply chain. There is a demand for biofuels from the sector, not just for environmental reasons, but also to increase long term fuel security.”

 

“Companies and universities need to work together within R&D, examine successes within fields like biofuels, and debate what the industry can do to further ensure that alternative fuel adoption becomes more common place,” he said.

 

In the UAE, Etihad Airways, Takreer, Total and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology have joined Boeing in its R&D efforts to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain.

 

The R&D within technology has also led to growing demand for lighter, stronger and more advanced materials and chemical advancements for aerospace applications.

 

“Academic capability takes both investment and time, and the growth of R&D rests upon a strong relationship between higher and vocational education institutes and the industry. In an era of austerity in public funding, the industry needs to discuss what it can do to protect academia and ensure its continued strengthening of the aerospace, aviation, space and defense industries,” added Dr Abusafieh.

 

The summit will focus on how advanced manufacturing and materials are transforming the aerospace industries and on the challenges of driving industrialisation and growth across aviation, aerospace, defense and space sectors.

 

Specialised sessions will examine R&D within advanced manufacturing and its impact on development and supply chain. 

 

Panelists will consider the use of carbon fibre composites and developments in ferrous and non-ferrous metal, with the summit bringing together senior programme and development representatives to predict the next materials of the future. - TradeArabia News Service